A McGinley Support Services volunteer group joined Amey Colas and Network Rail by spending a day this month helping Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust at Lower Woods nature reserve, coppicing, clearing ditches and scrub to improve the habitat for wildlife.

Coppicing is a traditional method of managing woodlands to produce long, straight poles fora wide range of uses including fencing, weaving, yurt-making and bean poles. Coppicing also allows light to reach the woodland floor encouraging the growth of plants important to many invertebrates.

This ancient woodland and SSSI is rich in flora including carpets of bluebells in spring. In summer old meadow species including ragged-robin and butterflies like silver washed fritillary. Of particular note is the population of elusive nightingales heard singing in Spring.

Further information can be obtained from Gemma Palmer- Greenwood on 0845 543 5953.